Uncirculated Mint
State Quarter Proof Set Investing
There were three purpose for the 1997 50 States Quarter Program.The program hoped to encourage knowledge in our youth about each state’s history and culture, as well as their contribution to the Union. The state quarter sets were to commemorate the states that make up this great country.The third goal was to help inspire a new generation of coin collectors.
The first 5 quarters were released in 1999 and then 5 more were released each year after.The commemorative quarter for Hawaii, the final state to join the United States,was released in November 2008, bring an end to the ten year program.
The state quarter program was a huge success.Almost half of the US population began collecting states quarters.To further the goal of the program, quarter proof sets were also sold by
the United States Mint for collectors.
State Quarter proof coins were minted only by the San Francisco Mint.The standard state quarter were produced at the Philadelphia and Denver mints.The minting process utilizes special coin blanks and polish dies to strike the coin multiple times.This results in a mirror-like background and sharp relief of the design.The foreground is frosted and sculpted in order to give the coin a cameo-like appearance.
Proof sets are designed more for true coin collectores.There are several reasons.One, the special minting process results in the highest quality state quarters.Also,these coins are never put into circulation but instead purchased directly from the mint.Proof coins are almost always in better condition then the standard mint sets.
Since proof coins are produced in smaller quantities, it also increase the value.The rarer the coin, the more valuable.The 2008 quarter proof sets, for example, doubled in value in less than one year’s time.Set from the earlier years are valued at $50 to $60 dolllars.
These sets are likely to continue climbing in value.
A proof set also comes with an authenticity certification.They are also specially packaged by the United States Mint.This additional care, not given to coins released into circulation, also aids value.
Proof sets are originally sold only directly from the mint.Now you can buy them from various dealers who resell the sets.You can even find them onplace like ebay.
With the state quarter craze, a new interest in coin collecting was sparked across the ountry.Many people did not collect coins prior to the state quarter program.New state quarter investors are best to start with the 1999 quarters since those will likely be the most difficult to find.
A good place to get started collecting state quarter sets is with the 1999 state quarter proof set.
1878 CC-Mint Uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollar